Podcasts in the Shop

I listen to a lot of podcasts in the shop. A majority are politics, economics, culture, and sports. I also listen to some woodworking podcasts. I’d love to hear what you recommend:

Woodworking and DesignWood Talk: this is the best out there, mostly because they know how to podcast. The three person booth works well to keep the conversation lively and interesting. They vary the format of the show to keep things going. The old Matt was funny and kept things light—the new Matt brings more technical expertise, especially his experience in logging. My only quibble is that sometimes on questions they answer a bit out of ignorance. Overall, a great show.

Shop Talk Live: This Fine Woodworking podcast is very similar in format to Wood Talk. I think the technical expertise is one step up from Wood Talk, the listening enjoyment factor one step down. My second fave.

The two above are the ones I regularly listen to. I’ve just tried some others on a long drive yesterday:

Looking Sideways on design. They include woodworking (Chris Schwarz was on a recent episode). This is really interesting discussion of design, both handmade and industrial.

Faking It Podcast is about making, and is a bit too hipster for me.

The Dusty Life: haven’t tried it yet

The Avid Woodworker: These are long, single-person podcast or interviews. I found the interview with Alex Snodgrass interesting, but the one where he just talked himself was unbearable for me. Won’t be a regular

The Woodworking Podcast: This is a new one that I don’t think I’ll stick with. three people (good start), but I am looking to listen to folks who know more than I do, who raise my game. Listening to a 5 minute discussion of how well drywall screws work in pocket holes is not my idea of a good time (and I’m not above using a Kreg jig).

MakerCast: haven’t gotten far yet.

Darbin Ovar: this is a discussion, not instructional like the youtube podcasts. Not that compelling for me.

Modern Woodworkers Association: I’ve listened to two. The first one was whether woodworking was an art or not. This was a nuanced and interesting discussion, 45-60 minutes on a subject that would have been 120 seconds on Wood Talk. It is not fast moving at all, but helpfully substantive. The second one was interviewing someone on their experience making a Maloof rocker. Without seeing it in front of me, it was hard to follow, but still had some interest. Very, very different from Wood Talk, but a winner so far.

Non Woodworking PodcastsAmicus: Dahlie Lithwick on the Supreme Court. Best podcasts ever—analysis of cases, interviews with former clerks. Way interesting. Interviews with clerks of Justices’s Thomas and Scalia (different episodes) were revelatory.

The Gist with Mike Pesca: pretty much the model of how to do a one person podcast. Daily. 30 minutes: politics and culture.

Hang Up and Listen: sort of NPR does sports style. Worth a listen

Vox’s The Weeds: not the most listenable politics podcast, but good at getting very deep into an issue.

Tony Kornheiser show: rebroadcast of his show on 980 in DC—the best. Just the best. Sports, politics, culture, great guests. Funny as heck.

SI Media Pocast: long interviews on the process of broadcasting sports with well-known sports writers and broadcasters. Very interesing.’

America’s Test Kitchen: If you like to cook.

Backstory: American history podcasts

Freakonomics Radio: interesting takes

Culture Gabfest: culture discussion from Slate—TV, movies, books

Political Gabfest: always interesting political weekly podcast on current politics

Slate Money: another really good Slate podcast on business and economics

-- "Man is the only animal which devours his own, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." ~Thomas Jefferson

I listen to ESPN radio in Louisville a fair amount on iHeartRadio. I used to listen to it more, but then I got so tired of hearing the same thing over and over, and so I started down the podcast road. Nothing like listening to an in-depth discussion of the Argentinian debt crisis while planing a board.

-- "Man is the only animal which devours his own, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." ~Thomas Jefferson

I’ve never been one for podcasts really, I just listen to 1 from The Mod Zoo (computer case modding, friends of mine do it). I’ve been thinking about trying to find some more to try, but haven’t found much of anything I like yet. I’ll give a few of the ones in here a try though, thanks for the list!

I use the iOS podcast app, and listen to “Stuff You Should Know (SYSK)”, and recently started listening to “Car Talk”. SYSK advertises often for “Stuff You Missed in History Class”. I find it all pretty fascinating. Plus, Car Talk (from NPR) just makes me laugh a lot.

-- - The mightiest oak in the forest is just a little nut that held its ground.

I’ve listened to a couple of episodes of The Dusty Life now. Not bad, but needs some pacing. I think pacing, energy, and preparation set Wood Talk apart. Wood Talk doesn’t have dead air when one of the hosts is formulating an answer.

-- "Man is the only animal which devours his own, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." ~Thomas Jefferson